“Initially, Baker McKenzie stood out due to its vast international presence and strong reputation in the market. However, after attending an open day at the London office I was overwhelmed by how nice everyone was and how well they got on.”

Down to business

The highlight for me has been being responsible for part of a large project. This included liaising with the client and local counsel on a daily basis, drafting and reviewing documents, as well as helping hold board meetings and the like. It was the steepest learning curve on my training contract but I certainly benefited a lot from it. I also loved working as part of a team that functions incredibly well together. In general, one of the best things is the variety of clients and the diverse range of projects.

The Culture

It is a really friendly and fun environment. Despite being a very large firm, Baker McKenzie is very sociable. Rarely can you walk around without bumping into someone and having a quick chat. And also, the restaurant has great food. Best of all cake!

Out of hours

The Christmas Party is the Firm’s standout social event. Everyone from the London office attends and it is a great time to catch up with your friends from other departments. Trainees are also left to prepare a brief comedy skit which is always priceless! When I’m not at work my secret addiction is fitness challenges. I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and recently completed my first ‘Tough Mudder’. I also like to keep with news and current affairs.

Pearls of wisdom

Baker McKenzie provides fantastic training and is a wonderful place to work for a Trainee solicitor. If you are someone who enjoys working as part of a team and combining legal knowledge with business acumen, Baker McKenzie would be a perfect fit. All you need is to be friendly, determined, hard-working, have a passion to learn and be business-minded.